A remarkable 21-point qualifying final victory on Saturday has seen the Tiwi Bombers progress to the second semi-final and a shot at direct entry into the TIO NTFL Grand Final.

A slow start against Southern Districts couldn’t stop the rampaging Bombers, who overturned a 21-point half-time deficit to storm away with the stirring win.

After booting just three goals in a frustrating opening half, Tiwi exploded with 10 goals to three in the second half led by club legends Ross Tungatalum and Austin Wonaeamirri.

Tiwi coach Brenton Toy said the summer months spent regularly playing in the energy-sapping mid-afternoon time slot provided his side with confidence despite the half-time score.

“We knew that if we could stay within four or five goals that we were always going to be a chance,” Toy told AFLNTv on Saturday.

“We were rusty in the beginning, we weren’t playing good footy, but I think we knew that there was probably more left in our tank than theirs.

“Our second half was terrific and maybe playing those two o’clock games all year might have helped us out in the end.”  

Tungatalum booted six majors in a typically dazzling performance to take his season total to 46 from 16 games, while Wonaeamirri continued to wind back the clock with another four goals to extend his impressive recent form.

Toy credited Tungatalum with turning the tide of the match, but said the terrific result was a team effort.

“Ross Tungatalum plays forward most of the time, but he was injected up into the midfield and, to me, he was probably the difference today.

“He was good, he was excited, he was enthusiastic and it was a top performance by him and all of the team today.”

The win takes the Bombers to seven wins from their past eight matches and 10 of their last 14 since failing in the opening five rounds of the season.

It also sets up a mouth-watering clash against ladder-topper Nightcliff in Saturday’s final, with the Tigers entering the match with relatively fresh legs following a week off.

The most recent battle between the sides was an epic one-point victory to the Bombers away from home in round 15, and the thriller proved Tiwi is capable of defeating any side on its day.

Toy said he is confident his side can put in another strong performance as the form team of the competition.

“We got through today pretty much unscathed again and it’s probably our style of footy that we play, a lot of uncontested ball,” he said.

“We’re certainly looking forward to (playing) Nightcliff, we’ve beaten them this year like we did with Districts.

“(We have) momentum on our side and a bit of enthusiasm.”

The winner of the semi-final will progress directly to the Grand Final on March 18, while the loser will face the victor of Saturday evening’s match between Southern Districts and Waratah for one final chance to face off for the premiership.

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